CAPEL CURIG HIKING FIELD GUIDE
3-Day Hill Skills — Capel Curig’s Intensive Mountaincraft Course in Snowdonia
A three-day, adults-only course from Snowdonia Adventures that teaches navigation, weather interpretation, safety and practical hill skills to help you move smarter in the mountains.
3-Day Hill Skills — Capel Curig’s Intensive Mountaincraft Course in Snowdonia.
Over three days in Snowdonia’s quieter reaches, Snowdonia Adventures runs a focused mountain course that pairs expert, practical instruction with on-the-ground coaching: navigation by map and compass, basic weather forecasting and synoptic interpretation, route choice and planning, plus hands-on hillcraft such as scrambling and river crossing. The course is tailored to individual needs, and aims to boost confidence and self-sufficiency in the hills.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Qualified, Practical Instruction
First-class coaching from qualified mountaineers who teach essential foundation skills—navigation, weather awareness, planning and safe travel in the hills—delivered with an emphasis on practical application and tailoring to individual needs.
Hidden and Quieter Corners of Snowdonia
Across three days you’ll be led into some of Snowdonia’s wilder, quieter areas—places chosen to teach navigation and route choice off the beaten path while building confidence in map-led travel.
A Toolbox for Mountain Travel
The course covers map-and-compass navigation, GPS and altimeter use, basic weather forecasting and synoptic charts, scrambling technique, river-crossing strategy and multi-day planning—skills intended to remain useful on hills and higher-altitude treks worldwide.
What the day feels like
What the three days feel like
The course unfolds as a compact, practice-led curriculum: map-and-compass work and route choice are central, augmented with GPS and altimeter practice; weather sessions teach how to read forecasts, synoptic charts and cloud signs; and field time includes sustained hillwalking, some scrambling and river-crossing strategies. Instructors—many with experience in Europe and the Greater Ranges—tailor coaching to your goals, whether general hillcraft or preparation for higher-altitude trekking.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who gets the most from this course—and who should reconsider.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Clothing and footwear suitable for mountain weather, a packed lunch and drinks in addition to your normal hill kit. Bring the map OL 17 (1:25,000), a working compass (the Siva Type 4/54 is recommended), and a pen, pencil and notebook if wanted.
Standard hill kit is expected; instructors will work with you on footwear and clothing choices and discuss pros and cons of available options during the course.
You should carry a packed lunch and sufficient drinks for each day; instructors will also discuss food choices for longer or wild-camping trips.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the course?
The course runs for three days.
Where do we meet on day one?
Initial meeting is in Capel Curig at Caffi Siabod, A5, Capel Curig, Betws-y-Coed LL24 0EL, United Kingdom.
What is included in the instruction?
You will receive first-class coaching and instruction from qualified mountaineers covering navigation, weather, route choice, scrambling, river crossing strategies and planning for multi-day hikes.
How large are the groups?
Maximum ratios during the course are six clients to one instructor.
Do I need a map and compass?
Yes—you should have map OL 17 (1:25,000) and a working compass; the Siva Type 4/54 is recommended as the industry standard.
Is the course suitable for people travelling to higher altitudes?
Yes—courses have been tailored in the past to appraise fitness and teach safer travel techniques for those preparing for higher-altitude trekking.